News
The Right to Care: Health and Humanity Amid War in Ukraine
By Yana Panfilova & Helen Petrozzola December is Universal Human Rights Month and reminds us that health is not a privilege or a service extended out of goodwill—it is a universal right. Yet in war-torn Ukraine, that right is being tested daily. Frequent power outages, attacks on critical infrastructure, and the ongoing displacement of millions have made even basic healthcare a struggle to sustain. As war continues to uproot millions, the destruction of healthcare facilities, the disruption of treatment supplies, and the growing psychological toll all reveal a more profound truth: vulnerability does not arise from illness or circumstance alone,...
How Peace Corps and HIV Wove Our Lives Together
By Helen Petrozzola I didn’t know where the Peace Corps would send me — only that it would be somewhere I needed to be. That was the unspoken pact: trust the process, step into the unknown, and give everything you can to the people and place you meet. Ukraine became my home, and the people I met there became my family in every sense of the word. In late summer 1998, Peace Corps Group 13 boarded a bus from Kyiv to Cherkasy for three months of training. We stumbled through new words and customs, all of us wondering where we’d...
From the Peace Corps to the boardroom: Humana CEO Jim Rechtin on listening and leading
By Ty Dávila, Research Contributor at the New Lines Institute The Peace Corps instills values that extend far beyond volunteers' years of service, providing them with a mental framework to tackle life's biggest challenges. This transformative experience continues to shape volunteers long after they return home, as demonstrated by Jim Rechtin, a former volunteer who now serves as CEO of Humana. Rechtin's Peace Corps service in the Republic of Congo nearly ended after six months when he was ready to pack his bags and return home. Instead, he persevered through the challenging adjustment period, building latrines and fostering connections with local residents....
Spirit of Service
Insights from RPCVs Briana Nezbah, Dennis Felipe Jr., and Jonathan Clark via Peace Corps Blogs Service is one of the few things that asks something of every American and, in return, gives all of us a deeper “we.” That “we” must include the First Peoples of this land whose traditions of mutual care, knowledge-keeping, and stewardship predate the nation itself. Peace Corps has long benefited from Indigenous volunteers who carry those traditions into classrooms, clinics, and councils around the world—teaching, learning, and building relationships that honor both their Tribes and their host communities. People like Briana Nezbah Edmo (Navajo Nation;...
Reimagining National Service: Building a Culture of Civic Commitment
Reimagining National Service: Building a Culture of Civic Commitment By Hayden Johnson, NPCA Communications Intern At this year’s Peace Corps Connect conference, a powerful and forward-looking panel tackled one of the most pressing questions for the service movement today: How can national service evolve to meet the needs of a changing world, while staying true to its mission of building community, equity, and civic purpose? Convened by the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA), the session welcomed Scott Beale, former Peace Corps Associate Director; Shirley Sagawa, former President and CEO of Service Year Alliance and founder of AmeriCorps; Julie Budkowski, Managing...
Peace Corps Iran: A Final Reunion, a Lasting Legacy
Peace Corps Iran Association's FINAL Gathering More than one hundred RPCVs reunited this weekend for the final gathering of the Peace Corps Iran Association at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. The group will cease to exist in June 2026, it's only fitting that they end in a high note, a finale to their journey. The event marked a meaningful conclusion to decades of reconnections among those who served in Iran before the 1979 revolution, offering a space to honor their shared legacy and reflect on how their experiences shaped lives and careers across generations. Though...
M34 Volunteers in Mongolia Earn Special Recognition from Ambassador Buangan
By Ty Dávila, Research Contributor at New Lines Institute Peace Corps volunteers from Mongolia's M34 group recently received special recognition from Ambassador Richard L. Buangan, a State Department official. His commendation highlighted the volunteers' dedication and positive impact on local communities, underscoring their role in fostering international goodwill between the United States and Mongolia. Most importantly, the volunteers' presence has strengthened bilateral relations while demonstrating American values abroad. The ambassador's praise stands as testament to the valuable contributions Peace Corps makes in promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding. Their passion and enthusiasm have left a lasting impression, deepening respect and...
Celebrating Global Diversity Awareness Month
By NPCA DEIA Committee Each October, Global Diversity Awareness Month invites us to reflect on the rich tapestry of cultures, perspectives, and identities that shape our world—and our Peace Corps community. For the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA), this month is a powerful reminder of our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, both in principle and in practice. As returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs), we have witnessed firsthand the beauty of global cultures and the transformative power of cross-cultural exchange. Global Diversity Awareness Month challenges us to bring those lessons home—to listen deeply, uplift underrepresented voices, and foster belonging...
Carla Brown Named Next President and CEO of National Peace Corps Association
National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) announced today that Carla Brown has been selected as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. The NPCA Board of Directors confirmed Brown’s appointment after a rigorous four-month selection process that engaged the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) community and affirmed the association’s commitment to openness, equity, and transparency. She will succeed Dan Baker, who has served as NPCA’s President and CEO since 2022, and is departing the role at the end of the year. Said NPCA Board Chair, John Lee Evans: “I am pleased that the Board of Directors has...
The Toughest Job I’ve Ever Loved: Why the Peace Corps Still Matters
By Ty Dávila, Research Contributor at the New Lines Institute The Peace Corps, originating on March 1, 1961, has always been more than the name itself. There is a unified calling that many Americans face: representing American democracy and strengthening global impact. More than 240,000 people have contributed their passion, coming back more grown into their calling. Although it is beyond rewarding, no one ever mentioned that it was easy. For two years at a time, volunteers leave behind family, friends, and loved ones to contribute to something larger than themselves. This is where Peace Corps veteran Jill Tucker describes her experience:...